6 races can be a Mage in Forever: Orc, Troll, Undead on the Horde side, Human, Gnome, High Order Skyborne for the Alliance (Blizzard race table). New in Forever: Orc Mage.

Our picks

Horde

  1. Undead: Cannibalize restores Mana as well as Health, and Touch of the Grave has a 30% chance for casters.
  2. Troll: Berserking now lasts 15 seconds and Regeneration raises health regen by 20%. Blizzard's notes don't restate what Berserking does, so check it in game.

Alliance

  1. Gnome: Eureka! gives an 8-second window where spells cost 10% less Mana, and Blizzard says it raises damage as well.
  2. High Order Skyborne: The only Skyborne Mage. 2% spell haste, and Read Leyline gives 50% more Mana regeneration (100% while Attuned).

These are our opinion, based on Blizzard's beta notes. Blizzard says each race has two active and two passive racials tuned for similar offensive power, so faction, looks and who you play with can still decide it.

What each race gets

  • Orc: Blood Fury, Shatter Curse, Command. Blizzard's posts name 3 of the 4.
  • Troll: Berserking, Regeneration. Blizzard's posts name 2 of the 4.
  • Undead: Will of the Forsaken, Cannibalize, Underwater Breathing, Touch of the Grave.
  • Human: Will to Survive, Ruthless, Human Spirit. Blizzard's posts name 3 of the 4.
  • Gnome: Eureka!. Blizzard's posts name 1 of the 4.
  • High Order Skyborne: Walk on Air, Read Ley Line, Wind Blessed, Elemental Insight.

Sources: Blizzard's development notes and panel recap. Details and what's still unknown are on each race page.

More: race guide · Mage class guide · Mage leveling guide